THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17807, 5 July 1923, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

HANMER SPRINGS. The final for the Amuri Football Challenge Shield was played at Hanmer, on Saturday, between the local team and Culverden, the latter, after, an even and willing game, winning by 3 points to nil. Mr F. Foster, of Wfliau, was referee. After the match the players adjourned to the Government tea kiosk, where the visiting teamj were entertained. In the course of a few remarks, Mr J. W. Seekup congratulated Culverden on winning the game, and with it the ohield ; and made reference to the sporting spirit of both teams. Mr Brophy responded for Culverden. CUST.

The annual meeting of St. James Church, Cust, was attended by a fair number of parishioners. The balancesheets showed, the following credit:— General Fund, £l4 10s '2d; Organ Fund, £l9 8s 2d; Sunday School, £7O 2s; Cemetery Account, £l3 19s 6d (revenue account) • Cemetery Capital Account, £176. In his report the Vicar referred to his approaching departure to Hinds. The meeting recorded the following minute: "That this meeting, whilst congratulating Mr Hay npon his appointment to the Hinds Parish, desires to express its deep regret at his leaving, and to express its appreciation of his services during the past nine years." It was further resolved: "That this meeting wishes.to place, on record its appreciation of -Mrs Hay's services to the Sunday School, and to the Parish generally." The following were appointed a Vestry for. the. ensuing year: Bishop's Warden, Mr Denis Chapman; people's warden, Mr R, Forsyth; vestry, Messrs Ryde, Dixon. Horrell, Larg, Sail senr., Frizzell, Tnllntt, Smith and Sail junr. The ladies' committee wais t\»elected with the addition of Mesdames Forsyth and Boyd. Votes of thanks, were accorded to all who' had assisted in- the work of "the church during i the past year. Afternoon tea, was supplied by the ladies. v ' " On Saturdav evening from 8 till 9o'clock a Wireless Concert broad-castr ed from Christchurch will be listened to in St. James' Sunday Mr Daeombe is coming with his wireless set, and the concert is to be broadcasted from Christ?hlrch'bv Mr Orbell. As this is the first occasion op- -whiclJ the public of the Cust dist-ict will have had the om>ortunity of "listehihe in" there should be a very large attendr ance. The concert will be free 1 "of charco, and is giveh.with the object of stimulating interest in things wireless.

RANGIORA. On Tuesday evening_the members of John Knox Ch>rch went as. a surprise party to the residence of .their conductor, Mr G. G'obs Jordan, to'offer felicitations to Mr and Mrs Jordan on their silver wedd.ng-duy. .The Rev. W. H. Howis 'speaking on behalf of the choir, heartily congratulated the happy Couple on completing" twenty-iivo years of married lite,' and presented them.with a silver cake, basket"as'an earnest of esteem and regard'. Mr C. I. Jennings also'spoke, warmly thanking Mr Jordan for the keen interest he had taken in the choir, and troubles in its training to its present efficient state, and concluded by. expressing the best of good wishes'or Mrand Mrs '."Jordan's- future..,; In responding, Mr Jordan' expressed their, very sincere appreciation of the kindly feelings that bad prompted the. members of the choir to pay this visit 'and make them such a handsome present. He assured the choir that the regard wa3 mutual, and.that while he held the position^of conductor,- it would;be'Jhis. earnest endeavour to continue to give them of his best in the wav ef .eemceß. Music, games and other pastimes followed, filling up a most; enjoyable evening. . ; • ■•' > • ■".

! . RUSSELL'S FLA& In general: with other dialects, Russell's Flat has had its■'■ share of snow. TJie weather for thepasi'jwoek has b en cold, find on Thursday evening there was a .light fall of Bnow, : but during Friday night snow fell very heavily, the ground being covered to a depth of six inches. Most of the snow feJl on the flat country, the hills receiving only a sprinkling. , An exceptionally hard frost on Sunday night has helped'to delay the snow from melting.' .... " vThe fortnightly euohrie? party,';'and danoe organised by the School Committer for raising fWds was very successful. The prizes for. the' < euchre were won by fMiss Butcher and Mr C. Irvine, consolation prizes being awarded to Miss E. Coffey and Mr 0. Bloor. Music for the dancing w.as supplied by Ms* and Miss Millar, extras ibeing played by Mrs H. Page. Mr;; Smellie (Springfield)'sang a polo, jj ;i :*! . At the Russell's ■■: Flat;; Methodist Church aniversary, ihne Rev.'' Belshaw Conducted the service. In order i further to celebrate the anniversary,' and also to raise funds for the church, a social was held in the schoolroom. After an enjoyable programme, in wnich the looal people,.were..assietocLby a.partv from fcpnngfield. £• Smithy Mrs W. M. Campbell, and Mrs MoNeish, and : al'st*by^Mr.: from Wnddington, supper was dispensed by the ladies of the church", and a very pleasant evening ;was {brought to a close. I A Junior Grade football team .•>; has ! recently been formed at Russell's Flat, and two matches have been played one against Sheffield, resulting in a. draw, and the other against Borbrata, when Russell's Flat won, the score, being 16 points to 14. MAIREHAU. The annual meeting of tho Presbyterian Church was . held on Monday evening. Mr J. R. Walter presided, ; and apologised for the unavoidable absence of the Rev. J. Bi Bickerstaff. The reports and balance-sheets of the Church, Sunday School, and Bible Class were read, and showed all branches to be in a healthy condition. ' The total receipts for the year amounted to £9B 12s 3d, and the'expenditure to £93 7s 6d, leaving a credit balance of £5 4s 9d. The sum of £ll had been devoted towards Foreign Missions, including Dr. Barhardo's Homes. The Sunday School roll showed a mem-; bership of 4G scholars, being an increase of ten over the previous year. Votes of thanks were passed to. the Church officers, Sunday School teachers, Bible Class officers, and the, : organist (Mrs W. J. Walter). A special vote of thanks was tendered to the lay preachers. The following committee was elected for the ensuing year:— Mesdames J. McFadden, W. J. Walter, K. Hartley, W. Gottermeyer, Misses I. Truman, C. Taylor, Messrs W. A. Beck; J. Waugh, A. McDiarmid, and Douglas McFadden. A Community Sing, under the leadershiD of Mr T. W. Reeße, was heartily indulged in. A thorough-' ly enjoyable programme ot vocal and instrumental items was given Misses Beck, R. Free, A. Yagodjinski, *J. Anderson, Mrs Sibbald, Messrs W. A; Beck, J. Waugh, L. Wilson, W: Carter, and D. McFadden. Refreshments were provided by the ladies. ..':. j At a well-attended meeting of tho young men of the district it Avis' decided to form a Young Men's Club, for the purpose of holding games,-com-petitions, etc. Mr J. R.- Walter was appointed chairman, Mr J. Sheridan secretary, Mr H. Watson treasurer, Mr E. James auditor, and Mr David 1 McFadden custodian. It was decided to meet every Saturday evening. Four j teams were selected , to contest - various competitions, a prize, to bo. award- j

Ed the winning team at the end of the season, '•.'•' M« C. Dixey and Mr C. Jenes were the winners at the card match held last Thursday evening at the hall. The footpath ■'. along the Marshland road from Craddock's Corner to the Marshland School, has recently been put in good order by the Waimairi County Council, and is now much appreciated by pedestrians and cyclists. TAI TAPU. -"The Fun and Frolic Players are presenting Tom Merry and Co., (from rit. Jim's, England.) in "Gussy's Trousahs" in the Tai Tapu Hall to-night. This company have toured both the North and So«th Islands, and are perhaps better known as the Kokolßlai.ders. The pompany has the eer- - vices of an excellent orchestra under the baton of Mr H. W. Perryman.The flay, will be shown for one night only at a;:Tapu, after which the.company will continue with their country tour. ELLESMEREv, There was a good attendance at a Home Mission Sooial held in the Methodist Chuicn. The pro.eedmgß opened with ft community sing, a soVby Miss Elford and a quartet by the Misses Tummer and Chamberlain, Messrs McClelland and Chamberland. The Rev. J. W. Parker gave an interesting address on his experiences as a Home Missionary in th» Far North. SOUTHBRIDGE. A large and representative gathering of the sporting fraternty of fcJouthbridge assembled in tho Town Hall, when a complimentary smoke concert was tendered to Mr S. Woods, who is about to leave the district. Mr Jas. Parkin, who presided, said that the people could not let Mr Woods leave without come appreciation of .his excellent services. In 1 proposing the toast of the guest, the chairman said that Mr Woods. had filled the position of secretary of the Athletic, Football, and Bowling Clubs. Mr Parkin presented to the guest, a magnificent electroplated tea and xoffee-set, as a gift from all the snorts in the community. Messrs B. McEvedy, R: J. Parkin, R. Leahy. P. Delargey, and Reeves also added their tributes to t're grests's cood work in the district. When Mr Woods rose to respond, there was a storm of applause and musical honours. He said that what he had done for sport in Southbridge was amply repaid" by the expression of goodwill made that nights He wished all the clubs every success and trusted that future secretaries would hare loyal support and cooperation. Mr C-" Mercer presided at the piano during the proceedings.

ASHBURTON. Mr John Watson presi3edi over a large attendance -at the first annual meeting of the Advance Ashburton Association. The report showed that a great amount of good work in improving the appearance of the town had been done, and that the-railway reserve facing Earl street had been ploughed, levelled, and sown; also that a portion of the reserves in West street were now being prepared for sowing down early next month. The balancesheet showed that the receipts totalled £264 Os 7d, and the expenditure £227 13s 7d, leaving a credit balance in hand of £36 7e 3d. Sub-committees were elected, including Advisory, Finance, Beautifying, and Entertainments, and the following were elected a general executive: Messrs W. Kerr, E. Jtl. Orr, A. P. Raven, F. Smallbone, T. M. Clark, J. B. Christian, F. Silcock, H. l>. Barker, A. A. McDonald, H. R, C. McElrea, H. M. C. Watson, and John Watson. Mr Clark stated that the Entertainments Committee had arranged for a band concert and other entertainment in aid of the funds, and Mr McElrea stated that the united sports bodies were arranging for a big gala on Labour Day. It was decided that the Mayor be asked to call a public meeting in order to get every citizen interested in the gala. It was decided to approach the Borough Council, with a view to giving subscribers to the Public Library some measure of control. Votes of thanks were i accorded to all who had rendered help . to the Association during the past year.